Kedarnath: BJP leader demands ban on film, accuses makers of promoting 'love jihad'

There seems to be no end to problems for Abhishek Kapoor's much talked about film 'Kedarnath'. At first, the director who is also the co-producer of the film got embroiled in a legal battle with co-producer KriArj Entertainment who left the film while it was still being shot. 

While RSVP films came on board just in time and the film eventually got completed, now the locals of the pilgrim town are raising an objection to the film and alleging that it is factually wrong. 

While priests of Kedarnath temple and locals living nearby raised objection soon after the film's teaser came out, on Saturday a senior BJP leader demanded a ban on the film alleging that it hurts the sentiments of Hindus and promotes 'love jihad'.

Ajendra Ajay, who is part of BJP's media relations team in Uttarakhand, wrote to Central Board of Film Certification Chairman Prasoon Joshi that despite being set against the backdrop of one of the worst human tragedies, the film directed by Abhishek Kapoor makes fun of Hindu sentiments. 

Taking exception to a kissing scene between lead pair Sushant Singh Rajput and Sara Ali Khan featured in the film's teaser and a tagline in its poster reading 'Love is a Pilgrimage', the BJP leader alleged that it was an attack on the Hindu religion as Kedarnath represents the faith of crores of Hindus. "By setting a romantic love story against the backdrop of a huge tragedy that occurred at Kedarnath, a centre of faith for crores of Hindus, the filmmakers have shown great disrespect to the followers of the religion," Ajay told a news agency.

Objecting to the film depicting the love story of a Muslim porter and a Hindu pilgrim, Ajay said "couldn't the makers of the film find a Hindu character for the lead? "    

Accusing the film of promoting love jihad, the BJP leader said acute resentment prevailed among teertha purohits for projecting Kedarnath in such a flippant manner. 

Warning of large-scale protests in the state if the film was released, Ajay urged the CBFC chairman to impose a ban on the movie produced by Ronnie Screwwala and Pragya Kapoor. 

'Kedarnath' marks Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh's daughter Sara's debut in Bollywood. The film is a love story set in the backdrop of the devastating flash floods that took place in Uttarakhand in 2013. 

It is scheduled to release in theatres on 7th December. 

(With PTI inputs)